Tag Archives: roof

Be Prepared for Stormy Weather

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Desert_Electric  

If you live on the northside of San Antonio, you might already be dealing with the expensive, time-consuming and stressful reality of a home hit by a hail storm. For those of you who bypassed the disaster, or haven’t had time to deal with it yet, here are some tips to better prepare you for the worst.

  1.  Make a checklist of anything you think might have been effected by the storm and take photos. It helps if you have current photos to compare with. You’ll want to look at all the details, such as gutters and fencing.
  1. Call your insurance company immediately. Just because your house may look like it doesn’t have any damage is no guarantee. From the ground you won’t be able to see the extent of the roof damage, for one. It’s always best to have an adjuster sent out right away.
  1. Don’t wait for the adjuster. Start getting estimates on repairs as soon as possible. The better prepared you are, the easier the process will be.
  1. Perhaps one silver lining is homeowners insurance often covers items outside of your house, such as patio furniture.
  1. Do yourself a favor by staying organized. When something unexpected like this happens, being able to easily find receipts and paperwork can be a huge stress reliever.
  1. A cracked windshield is bad enough. With insurance deductibles, it’s likely that could all come out of your own pocket. Although we’re probably never fully prepared for weather damage (even when you see it coming), if you can safely get outside, drape a  heavy blanket and/or large towels over your car, it might just save you from an expensive mess!

If you’re ready to throw in the towel and finally build your dream home, call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

The Power of Solar for your Home

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solar house

We’ve explored various roofing options before in a past blog, but we wanted to go a little bit deeper into the amazing benefits of solar roofing, particularly if you live (or want to live) in San Antonio or the surrounding area. The market for alternative, renewable energy sources is growing rapidly and will likely only continue to gain momentum.

Not only is solar roofing a wonderfully green and eco-conscious option where you end up generating money instead of burning it, but locally, many electricity companies are offering consumers rebates when they make energy-saving improvements to their homes.

SAVE MONEY WITH SOLAR

CPS Energy, which services San Antonio, offers a rebate on solar photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight to electricity. Currently, the power company that services Schertz is also providing solar rebates to consumers.

In fact, these company offer a wide variety of rebates on things from pool pumps to air conditioners and new construction. While these rebates aren’t indefinite, it’s worth noting that rebates on solar roofs have been consistent. CPS even offers one for solar water heaters, up to $2,000. Energy Star estimates that you can reduce your electric bill by 50% when you switch to solar water heaters. For specific information on rebates, it’s best to contact the companies directly for details.

SOLAR SHINGLES vs. PANELS

Solar panels have been around a lot longer than solar shingles, which first came into use in 2011. Shingles are installed similarly to asphalt shingles and, in fact, replace the asphalt shingles where they are installed, which can result in modest savings.

Solar shingles can be installed on various types of roofs and most people find them much more aesthetically pleasing than the somewhat bulky appearance of panels. However, panels are considered to be a touch more efficient than shingles, but not by much. Currently, the conversion efficiency of shingles is 19.9% while panels are 20.3%.

OTHER BENEFITS OF SOLAR

-          The financial rewards are by far the best reason to install a solar roof. In case it wasn’t clear, not only do you save money using solar, but if the conditions are right and let’s face it they are in South Texas, you may even start receiving a check from your energy company after a while.

-          Over the long run, a homeowner might save $20,000 over a 20 year time period with a solar roof, at least that’s the national average. In Texas, it will be more like $30,000.

-          Using solar power is a reliable, secure and independent resource that cannot be controlled by a company or agency, which is why even the military is working to install solar power systems.

-          Interestingly, solar power creates jobs. As an energy source, solar power creates almost three times more jobs than money invested in coal or natural gas.

Besides the cost of initial installation, the disadvantages of having a solar roof are virtually non-existent. If this is something you’d like to consider for your new custom home, give us a call at 210-494-5400.

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What Kind of Roof Do You Want Over Your Head?

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Standing Seam Metal Roof from Stone Creek Custom Homes

When deciding on what kind of roof you want for your new custom-built home, there are a myriad of considerations, such as longevity, durability and environmental characteristics that must be weighed. What aesthetic are you going for? What’s your budget?  At Stone Creek Custom Homes, we do our best to make sure our clients know all of the factors before making such an important decision. When it comes to roofing, there are three main options:  tile, metal and asphalt shingle. We always tell people we put on a 30-year shingle, metal lasts 50 and tile lasts a lifetime, unless you get a hailstorm!

Asphalt Shingle

According to todayshomeowner.com, asphalt shingles have cornered 80% of the residential roofing market. Asphalt Shingles are the most popular type of roofing for homes, mainly because they’re the most economical choice.

If you’re trying to go green, asphalt shingles aren’t the best option. They’re not considered eco-friendly because they are a petroleum-based product, and while they can be recycled, it’s more likely they’ll end up in a landfill.

The good news is, today’s asphalt shingles are made to look like slate, wood shakes or even tile, so you can still have a beautiful-looking roof. Colors and styles vary, including architectural shingles, which create an attractive contoured, dimensional look, but aren’t recommended for low-sloping roofs.

Metal

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, the popularity of metal roofing products has increased significantly in recent years. No longer simply corrugated tin roofs, modern metal roofs are not only attractive but are considered a high-tech roofing solution that’s lightweight, durable and fire-resistant. They’re also the energy-efficient choice because they reflect heat from the sun.

Aluminum, copper, copper-and-asphalt, steel and lead are all very durable, although certainly more expensive than asphalt shingles. Steel and aluminum are the most common and viable options because they hold paint well and are the least expensive metals. Although aluminum is prone to damage because it’s a softer metal, it’s less likely to corrode than steel.

Tile

Tile is more expensive than asphalt shingles and metal, but if aesthetics is your number one priority for your new custom home, tile roofs can’t be beat when it comes to a stunning visage. The half cylinders of tile roofing are common on Spanish Colonial and Mission styles, a prevalent choice in south Texas.

Terra cotta tiles have survived the test of time, not only because they give your house a warm, sunny façade, but because they’re great at keeping buildings cool – a quality which can’t be underestimated during summer!

Solar Shingle

Solar Shingles are a great alternative roofing choice. Only commercially available since 2005, solar shingles allow you to transform your roof into a source of energy, making it the most eco-conscious choice. Designed to look like traditional asphalt shingles, solar shingles are photovoltaic cells that are able to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. While solar shingles are considered a more expensive roofing solution, newer designs are much more cost-efficient and can be installed in 10 hours, compared to what used to take up to 30 hours.

Whatever type of roof you’re considering for your new custom home, we’re here to help guide you! For more information, call us today at 210-494-5400.